What Is Organizational Behaviour?

Definition of OB

It is a field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups and structure have on behaviour within organizations, for the purpose of applying such knowledge toward improving an organizations effectiveness.

The Study of Organizational Behaviour

There are few absolutes in OB

Human beings are complex. Because they are not alike, our ability to make simple, accurate and sweeping generalizations are limited. That does not mean that we cant offer reasonably accurate explanations of human behaviour or make valid predictions.

Challenges and opportunities for OB

Improving Customer Service Instill in your employees the meaning and importance of customer service as outlined in the retail philosophy. Empower staff to use their best judgement in all customer service matter.

Stimulating Innovation and Change

Maintaining flexibility Improving quality Introducing new products and services

Working in networked organizations

Telecommuting Virtual offices Non-office locations Managing people different techniques

Work Life Balance Global organizations

Communication technology Longer hours required

Dual career couples Generation X work hard; play hard

 Improving Ethical Behaviour

Provide in-house advisers Create protection mechanisms

Write and distribute codes of ethics

Give seminars, workshops, & training Overview of the OB Model

Independent Variables
Psychology
Learning Motivation Personality Emotions Perception Training Leadership effectiveness Job satisfaction Individual decision making Performance appraisal Attitude measurement Employee satisfaction Work design Work stress

Social Psychology
Behavioural change Attitude change

Communication
Group Processes Group Decision making.

Sociology
Group Communication Power Conflict Intergroup behavior Organization system Formal organization theory Organizational technology Organizational change Organizational culture

Anthropology
Group Comparative values Comparative attitudes Cross-cultural analysis Organization system Organizational culture Organizational environment Power

As Managers, what is expected of us?

Managers perform 3 types of roles 1. Interpersonal 2. Informational 3. Decisional

Interpersonal role
Are of three types:
Figureheads - who perform ceremonial or symbolic roles.

Leaders - who train, motivate, and discipline employees. Liaisons - who contact external information sources.

Informational roles
Are again of three types:
Monitors - who collect information from outside sources. Disseminators - who transmit information to organizational members. Spokespersons - who organizations to outsiders. represent their

Decisional Roles
Are of four types: Entrepreneurs - who initiate and oversee new projects to improve organizational performance. Disturbance handlers - who take action to respond to unforeseen problems. Resource allocators - who control human, mechanical, and monetary resources. Negotiators - who bargain with others to gain advantage for their own units.